Joel leaned forward. “Who’s that guy in the corner?”
Ethan glanced over his shoulder.
“David Collins,” Polly answered before he could. “He’s the town recluse.”
Connor frowned. “He’s watching everyone.”
Joel nodded. “He’s not obvious about it, but he’s definitely aware of his surroundings. Perfect spot for it too—corner table with his back to the wall.”
“He’s a former SEAL too,” Ethan said, turning back to the group. “His wife went missing when I was a kid. According to town gossip, he never recovered. Lives in a really remote part of the forest and barely talks to anyone anymore.”
The story had been a big one when he was young. Collins had gone on a rampage trying to find the person responsible but never had.
“He dangerous?” Zac asked.
Ethan sipped his coffee. “Not as far as I’m aware.”
Polly slapped Joel’s fork away. “What are you doing?”
“Seeing if your pancakes are as good as mine?”
“You touch my pancakes, and you’ll have a fork scar in your hand for life.”
“Jesus.” He looked at Maggie. “Is she always this violent?”
“Yes,” Polly answered for Maggie.
“Need I remind you that I offered you my bun?” Joel said.
Polly rolled her eyes. “The one you stole from me.”
Ethan shook his head, his thumb stroking over Maggie’s thigh under the table. When her muscles tensed, he followed her gaze to the door.
Shit. Was everyone in this goddamn town coming in here today?
He rose and moved toward the door, lowering his voice. “What are you doing here, Jay? I told you to go home.”
She swallowed. “I couldn’t leave until I made things right between you and me.”
Didn’t she get it? There was no making thingsrightafter what she’d done. There was no coming back from that. He stepped outside, and she followed.
“Thereisno you and me. Not anymore.” His voice left no space for negotiation. “I can’t make that any clearer.”
“You did make that clear.” Hurt cut across her face, and she glanced away before looking back at him. “How do I fix this?”
“You can’t. The damage has been done.”
“Are you kidding? We’ve been friends for over a decade.Goodfriends.”
“And then you kissed me without my consent while I’m dating Maggie. She saw it. You hurt her. You hurtme.”
Jay shook her head, clearly frustrated. “Why do you even love her? You have nothing in common. She broke your fucking heart! Do you know how easily she could do that again?”
“You don’t need to know the why behind it. You only need to know that I do. AndbecauseI do, I would take the risk of loving her again and again.”
Pain and confusion swirled across Jay’s face. “I guess that’s that then. You choose her.”
She started to walk away…but he called her back.
